ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
|
30 May 2022, 03:00 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 182
|
“Stains” on my YG Yacht-Master I
One of my favorites is a yellow gold Yacht-Master I that I bought pre-owned in 2016. It’s always had these “stains” on the band just above and below the bezel, between the polished and brushed links. I paid a great price for the watch, so I didn’t fuss too much about the condition. It’s really in great shape except for the stains. When I rub with a soft wet cloth, the stains don’t change. I’m thinking of using a metal cleaner (not polish), but not sure which would be best, or if any might damage the gold alloy.
Has anyone seen these types of stains? Has Rolex ever had issues with the 18 karat gold alloys that they use, where maybe copper leaches out? Thanks in advance for your thoughts! There’s so much Rolex knowledge on this forum :) Ken |
30 May 2022, 03:01 AM | #2 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,748
|
A little tarnish?
__________________
|
30 May 2022, 03:04 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 182
|
Good thought. Tarnish is what it looks like, but 18k gold shouldn’t tarnish, unless there’s a defect in the alloy. Ken
|
30 May 2022, 08:50 PM | #4 |
"TRF" Life Patron
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 53,060
|
All 18Ct gold will tarnish over time especially if not washed or cleaned.
__________________
ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
30 May 2022, 03:07 AM | #5 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,748
|
My Daytona had some slight discoloration from being 20 years old, sent to RSC and came back as good as new. I would not let anyone but them address this problem. Before RSC After RSC complete service and case and bracelet polish Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
|
30 May 2022, 07:41 PM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: nyc
Posts: 734
|
I see a good amount of discoloration still, are you sure it has been completely fixed?
|
31 May 2022, 01:20 AM | #7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,748
|
In person, it’s perfect. Photography is not my thing.
__________________
|
30 May 2022, 03:23 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: US
Watch: sub
Posts: 2,429
|
Pure gold will not tarnish but 18k can over time. It's not the gold itself but the alloys in it. Nothing "wrong" with it, just the nature of alloys.
|
30 May 2022, 05:23 AM | #9 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,748
|
Did not know that but I was glad to get mine cleaned up.
__________________
|
30 May 2022, 05:39 AM | #10 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 89
|
fascinating. Does this also happen for White Gold and Rose Gold? Out of all of the 18k gold types which is the most resistant to this chemical reaction?
|
31 May 2022, 01:08 AM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: US
Watch: sub
Posts: 2,429
|
Without knowing the exact "secret-sauce" of Rolex white gold it's hard to say. But white gold that is non-plated (with rhodium) is typically a mix of gold and other white metals, some of which are reactive and some of which are not. White gold that includes silver would be prone to tarnish for example. Nickle not so much. The best white gold alloys are made with gold, platinum and/or palladium which are all very non-reactive and wouldn't tarnish.
|
30 May 2022, 05:51 AM | #12 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Dave
Location: CA
Watch: es
Posts: 4,395
|
Exactly this. Completely normal for tarnish to set in over time.
__________________
Instagram @dcash0615 2FA security active |
30 May 2022, 05:55 AM | #13 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Real Name: Jeff
Location: PNW
Posts: 1,482
|
This can happen as said above. I like it. Its seen on a lot of older PM rolex.
|
30 May 2022, 11:58 AM | #14 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Miami
Watch: me lose count.
Posts: 5,906
|
I like the use of the word “tarnish” when its a newer watch yet when we hop on over to the vintage section of TRF its called a desirable “patina”.
__________________
♛ 218206 Roman ♛ 116689 ♛ 126710BLRO ♛ 16520 white ♛ 16523 white ♛ 16610 ♛ 5513 Birth Year - ✠ Patek Philippe 5980/1R-001 - AP 26331ST Panda - Panerai Bronzo 671 & 111, Ω Speedmaster 1957 Broad Arrow, Cartier Santos XL - Montblanc TimeWalker Chrono 41 |
30 May 2022, 01:07 PM | #15 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,748
|
It’s funny, I gave up the “patina” on my 22 year old Daytona in favor of RSC making it new again. I’m ok with this!!
__________________
|
30 May 2022, 01:02 PM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,010
|
Off gassing from certain storage box materials cause this type of look, it’s like varnish, easily removed with a gold polish cloth. Had it happen to several of my gold items. Tossed the box, problem went away.
|
30 May 2022, 01:31 PM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: Mark
Location: Auckland, N.Z.
Watch: Day Date YG
Posts: 320
|
Doesn't Patina relate only to the dial? Patina is permanent.
|
30 May 2022, 07:44 PM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Real Name: Knackers
Location: NI/Aust/USA
Watch: and wait
Posts: 3,297
|
Check in with Amber.
|
31 May 2022, 01:32 AM | #19 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,748
|
Better shot
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
|
31 May 2022, 08:25 PM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Home
Watch: Patek Aquanaut
Posts: 837
|
have to say my 50ish old 18078 has no so called tarnish but like Padi said mine has been a daily all most it's life so washed daily in a shower and in pools in the summer
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.